The Life of Dorcas

Acts 9:36

“Now in Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called Dorcas); this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity, which she continually did.”

Luke now introduces us to a female disciple of Christ. She was evidently a rather wealthy woman and loved to serve others, especially the poor and needy. We notice in v. 39 that she made tunics and garments, obviously to give to the needy. We find throughout scripture that God is very concerned about the poor and widows and commands us to care for them.

In Isaiah 58:7 we are encouraged to “divide your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into the house; when you see the naked, to cover him”. James 1:27 says “This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” Later in 2:15-16 we read “If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?”

What we glean from Dorcas’ life is that she had a burden for the poor and she acted on that. It is our natural inclination to look down on the poor, but that is not God’s desire. As God exposes us to those who have needs we should be willing to use the resources He has given us to meet those needs. It is not enough to say “be warmed and be filled”, but we should help them accomplish that.

Living in our community we may not get exposed to the needy very much, but they are really all around us. We have had the privilege of ministering at the Union Gospel Mission in Dallas for many years and found that to be a tremendous, growing experience. Many in the third world countries like Africa, India, and Asia are in significant need. It is our privilege and responsibility to help those in need. Recently many from New Orleans came into our community because of a hurricane that destroyed their home.
Often the best way to reach someone’s spiritual needs is to fulfill their material needs first. I hope you will develop a sensitive heart to those in need.

The Discernment of Barnabas

Acts 9:26-27

“And when he (Saul) had come to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with the disciples; and they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus.”

Luke now mentions Barnabas for the second time. He shared in 4:36 the fact that Barnabas sold some land and gave all the proceeds to the church. Now we learn that he was also a man of discernment. His relationship with Paul will grow and he will eventually accompany him on a missionary journey. We will also see the two of them handle a difference of opinion.

Because of Saul’s violent persecution of Christians in the past, they were fearful of him. They did not believe him when he told them he had become a disciple of Christ. It is obvious, however, that Barnabas had taken the time to listen to Saul and learn about his salvation. Barnabas also trusted that Saul was telling him the truth and was willing to put his reputation on the line for his friend. Notice that Barnabas was the one that spoke to the other disciples and explained Saul’s confrontation with the Lord on the Damascus road as well as Saul’s testimony at Damascus.

I think we see the Holy Spirit working in Barnabas’ life in this situation to give him great discernment. I also believe that is a ministry the Spirit continues to have today in the lives of Christians. Discernment is an aspect of wisdom and we know from I Corinthians 12:8 that wisdom is a spiritual gift. I think it is a gift most Christian leaders possess. James 1:5 says “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” All Christians can and should pray for wisdom in their everyday lives as well as in special situations.

The Courage Of Ananias

Acts 9:10-19

Tucked into the story of the conversion of Paul to Christianity is a brief glimpse of another man; one that you and I may be able to identify with more than Paul. This Ananias was a resident of Damascus where Saul (Paul) had been taken after his encounter with Christ. In that encounter Paul had been struck blind. Those with him had taken him to the house of a man named Judas where he had been for three days without taking food or water.

The Lord came to Ananias in a vision and told him to go explain to Paul what had happened. Ananias was fearful because he had heard of Paul’s reputation of “breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord” (9:1). You and I can understand that fear because often when we feel the Holy Spirit leading us to witness to someone about our faith a feeling of hesitancy or fear grips us. Ananias knew that Paul was intent on persecuting Christians. The Lord told Ananias that Paul was a chosen instrument who would witness to the Gentiles, kings and sons of Israel (v. 15).

I’m impressed that once Ananias understood he obeyed. The next thing we are told he is with Paul and explained to him what was happening “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Saul immediately regained his sight, arose and was baptized and immediately began to proclaim Jesus.

We all know the story of Saul, but we often fail to learn the lesson of Ananias. This quiet faithful Christian was faithful in obeying the Lord in what could have been a difficult situation. Can you imagine the blessing that must have come to Ananias, not only at Saul’s reaction but even years later as he observed the impact Paul had on the world?

We are often given opportunity to share our faith in the Lord Jesus and hesitate because of fear. The Lord wants us to be bold in our witness to others. I think we can see this from the attitude of boldness that has been demonstrated by so many so far in this book. I pray that you will take advantage of the opportunities you are given to share your faith.

Simon And The Ethiopian

Acts 8:9-40

Today we will look at the results of witnessing to Simon and to the Ethiopian. Simon practiced sorcery or magic through the power of Satan. He relished attention and adulation. Consider the contrast between him and Philip. Philip also performed miracles, but through the power of the Holy Spirit. The people also were amazed at his actions, but he deflected their praise to Jesus Christ and led them into a personal faith. We see that Simon was attracted to these miracles (v. 13) and that he also was constantly amazed.

The bestowing of the Spirit in this instance must have been very obvious, because it was evident to Simon. He offered the apostles money if they would allow him to “receive the Holy Spirit.” Notice Peter’s response in v. 20 “may your silver perish with you…you have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right with God”. Simon’s motives were all wrong. He wanted to receive the Holy Spirit for personal gain. Although v. 13 says Simon “believed” I don’t think that means he became a Christian. James 2:19 says the “demons believe, and shudder” because theirs is an intellectual belief but not placing their trust in Him as their Savior. The word “perish” in v. 20 is also strong and is related to the same word in John 3:16.

God then very specifically directed Philip to go travel on a desert road. There he encountered a wealthy Ethiopian eunuch who was reading the Scriptures (probably out loud) while he was being carried in his chariot. As the Spirit directed Philip he came up to the eunuch and began witnessing to him. The Ethiopian trusted Christ as his Savior and then was baptized. When they came up out of the water the Lord snatched Philip away and the eunuch went on his way rejoicing (v. 39).
The point of sharing the stories of these two men with you is to remind you that we will encounter different results as we share our faith with others. Some will truly believe, as did the Ethiopian eunuch. Others will not as was probably the case with Simon. It is important that we leave the results to God. Our responsibility is to be faithful in sharing the message of salvation as we are led. We certainly can rejoice in what the Lord has done as people come to trust Him as their Savior. We must not become discouraged when people reject Him. Remember they are rejecting Him, not us.

Philip

Philip was introduced to us in Acts 6:5 as the second man chosen to assist the apostles in service. Now we see him being led of the Lord to go to Samaria to proclaim Christ. Philip’s message was authenticated by miracles (v. 7). There was a tremendous result as many came to know Christ as their personal Savior (.v 12). As a result there was much rejoicing.

The apostles in Jerusalem received word of what was happening in the city of Samaria in which Philip was ministering and sent Peter and John who prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit (v. 15). Many interpret this passage to mean that the receipt of the Holy Spirit is a second blessing that occurs sometime after salvation. I believe that the delay in receipt of the Holy Spirit is because this is the first group of people outside the Jews who responded to the gospel. We see this happening one more time when the first Gentiles believed. In these situations the receipt of the Holy Spirit was authenticating the gospel to those other than Jews. From that time forward believers have received the Holy Spirit in their lives at the moment of salvation.

We can draw another lesson from this passage. Although Philip was one of those appointed to wait on tables he also had a burden and a responsibility to share the message of salvation with others. He was obedient to the ministry of the Holy Spirit in his life directing him to do that. Every Christian receives a spiritual gift that he is to use to serve God. The gifts and their use are discussed in Romans 12, I Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4. All Christians have the responsibility to proclaim the message of salvation to those who do not know Him. We are privileged in that God chose to use us in this way. We should be faithful to Him.

We are not responsible for anyone’s salvation, however. That is the work of the Holy Spirit. We will look next at two men to whom Philip witnessed that responded in two different ways. Philip was faithful in his witness to each of his men.

I urge you to be faithful in sharing the gospel with those with whom you come in contact.

Persecution

Act 8:1

“And Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him (Stephen) to death. And on that day a great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria except for the apostles.”

We have mentioned persecution in the past as we saw the apostles put in jail because of their testimony. That was relatively mild compared to what we see in this chapter. One of the greatest persecutors was Saul and we get another glimpse of him here in that role. Notice in v. 3 he began “ravaging the church, entering house after house; and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.” We’ll look at Saul more closely later.

Today, let’s spend some time thinking why God allows persecution of His people. In this instance I think one of the reasons is to begin the fulfillment of Acts 1:8 where Jesus shared with the Christians that they would “be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. Notice the persecution caused the people to be scattered throughout “the regions of Judea and Samaria” (8:1). We see in v. 4 “those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.”

A study of the history of Christianity will reveal that there is a close relationship between persecution and growth of the number of Christians. Examine the countries where persecution has been greatest and missionaries have even been forced to leave. China is a great example as it was a closed country for years. When it began to open up and Christians gained access they learned that there were a tremendous number of Christians and house churches meeting in secret. That also occurred in countries in Eastern Europe.

I have had the privilege of getting to know Congressman Sam Johnson, who currently represents Plano in the U. S. Congress. He was a prisoner of war for seven years during the Vietnam war. He will tell you his faith was the only thing that got him through that time and that it grew immeasurably as he faced great persecution almost to the point of death. He has been a stalwart testimony for Christ since going through that experience. I have heard the same thing about men who were imprisoned in Soviet Russia.

Sometimes we don’t know why God allows persecution and we have a significant instance in the Bible in the case of Job. What we do know is that God took him through that time and he was faithful. His testimony has been preserved in Scriptures for our benefit.
I pray that regardless of the situations you face in life, you will be faithful to Him.

Stephen

Acts 6:8-7:60

Stephen is first mentioned in v. 5 when the congregation chose him to be a deacon. In that verse we learn he was “a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit”. In v. 8 we see him also described as “full of grace and power” and in v. 10 we learn that he had great wisdom. He was brought on trial before the same authorities that the Apostles had faced. His defense before them in chapter 7 is the longest message recorded in Acts.

As I read his defense I am impressed with his command of Israel’s history. He begins with Abraham, calling him father, and talks about Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David, and Solomon. He also demonstrates a deep knowledge of the Bible quoting from Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy, Amos, and Isaiah. One of the best summaries of Old Testament history I have read is Stephen’s defense. One of the significant things he points out in this message is that Israel did not accept the leadership of Joseph and Moses the first opportunity they had. Each of them was initially rejected, just as Christ was.

Then Stephen stated his defense in v. 51 “You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did.” That is quite a statement for someone who knows he is facing death. Don’t miss the implication of the word “heart”. While these men may have been circumcised physically, they weren’t from a “heart” or spiritual perspective and this is what really mattered. While they may have heard the message of truth they did not listen, accept it and apply it to their lives. The primary point of Stephen’s message is that Israel always evidenced a pattern of opposition to God’s plan and His men.
That is still true today of Israel and of much of human kind. That is the world we live in today and we must be prepared to face it with the same kind of courage Stephen and the apostles did. I don’t know what we may face as the future unfolds, but I thank God for your acceptance of Him and pray that you will have the courage to be bold for Him in the midst of opposition that is sure to come.